"It's the first time I've ever taken one in my life. The gaffer asked me if I was prepared to take one and I told him I was. I don't even take them in training usually, and I never thought I'd have to take one in a penalty shoot-out." - England's David Batty explains the fine art of penalty-taking after becoming his country's latest fall guy in the shoot-out defeat to Argentina.

"What the players do in their time off is their own private business, but it if enhances performance I'm all for it." - Steve Sampson, coach to the US team, on whether they should abstain from sex.

"This whole World Cup has been a mess." - Tab Ramos of the US after his team lost to Germany, Yugoslavia and Iran.

"I've got a footballing hangover, it is time for a younger player to take my place." - Denmark's Brian Laudrup (29) retires from international football.

"This group of players was born for the World Cup." - Youri Djorkaeff after France's 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final.

"Winning the World up is the most beautiful thing to have happened to France since the Revolution." - Emmanuel Petit.

"If the wives and girlfriends come out, it will be controlled. It'll be when we feel it is right to lift the players . . . not to have sex." - Glenn Hoddle lives up to the `No Sex Please, we're British' stereotype.

"My career is over. I've become the father of all refereeing mistakes." - Lucien Bouchardeau after awarding a penalty to Italy when Roberto Baggio's cross hit Chilean defender Ronald Fuentes on the arm.

"If we win, I don't expect them to build a statue for me. But if we lose, they'll kill me." - Brazilian captain Dunga on the life and death issues of football in his homeland.

"In Cameroon, healers have said they will be able to cure me in three days by burying my leg in the ground and putting fire around it. They have also recommended massage with gorilla bones while invoking the spirits of ancestors." - Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe on unorthodox treatment for his broken leg.